Hi, I have a 2013 RX and the other day experienced the ABS Malfunction lights coming on while driving on the fwy. The error went away when I turned off/on the car. I did take my car in last April to get the recall fix on this error (which was just a software update apparently).

The dealer is saying that they will do the diagnostics, but if they can't find anything, then there's nothing else they can do AND I'm responsible for a $175 diagnostic fee. Perhaps I have unreaiistic expectations, but I don't feel that I should have to pay $175 for them to do the diagnostic work since the error did occur.

Anyone experiencing this error despite having gotten the software update from the recall last year?

 

I've only seen spurious error lights including ABS on my former RX400h and my BMW 335i once. In both cases, it occurred upon turning on the vehicle and the lights came on and stayed on until turned off. Replacing the battery (it was 4+ years old in my RX400h and less than 2 years in the BMW) for whatever reason corrected the strange lights.

My personal opinion is if you have the malfunction light coming on, you should take it in for service. The 2013 owner's manual says to have your vehicle inspected immediately if the ABS light comes on -- see p859. Your 2013 is under basic warranty. I'm not Lexus Service, but I don't get why you would be charged a fee if there is no diagnostic log of the failure being recorded -- that sort of thing has never occurred in my 21 years of Lexus ownership. I've had problems I've reported that they couldn't recreate or that were not in the log, but each of those were so noted in my service record (under warranty) and there was no charge.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

In the unlikely event that you're on the witness stand in court after an accident and were asked the question "what action steps did you do after you saw the ABS Malfunction light go on?" - and answered "nothing", the jury might be less inclinde to understand why you're not responsible for plowing into the minivan full of kids weeks later.

A warning light on is, by itself, documentation that a failure of some sort has occurred - weather or not there's a recording in the electronics - as you are the recorder of the incident.

Upon reporting the "failure report" to the dealership, it is incumbent upon them to diagnose and pronounce your vehicle to be "safe".

If you have that in writing, your testimony, should it ever be needed per above, will likely sway the jury to your position.

They may not find any cause for the light - but my position with regard to any potential charge to me for not finding something is that they didn't do a job worthy of payment if they didn't find the cause.

At least that would start my dialogue/negotiation over the charge - and then wait for them to blink.

On the other hand, an unscrupulous technician might creatively "find" something to replace - but then again, if's under warranty, so...